Chlorine leak leaves 96,000 fish dead in a Norway salmon farm

About 96,000 fish have died at a salmon farm in Norway, due to chlorine leak in a tank.

Some 15,000 litres of chlorine spilled into the Altafjord, which eventually flowed  into the Atlantic Ocean, near the town of Alta, Norwegian Radio reported on Tuesday.

As a result,  shares of the Grieg Seafood company,  fell sharply on the Oslo stock exchange.

A company spokesperson said the chlorine was used to purify the water in which the salmon were farmed,  stating that there was no danger to residents.

He also said it  was not yet known,  how the accident occurred.

Meanwhile, Mayor Monica Nielsen,  had  demanded clarification on the environmental damage.

The company spokesperson,  said that no such incident had occurred since breeding began at the facility,  35 years ago.

In 2005, 95,000 fish had escaped from the farm, after the underwater cages were manipulated.